Sandpoint welcomes new officials

SANDPOINT — For the first time in years, sentimentality outweighed pragmatic reasoning at a city council meeting.

The governing body covered only a few items of city business during Wednesday night’s meeting. Instead, officials devoted their time to words of admiration and gratitude as outgoing members took their leave and newly-elected or appointed residents took their place.

“What an epic amount of responsibility it is to make decisions no one should be responsible for,” former councilman John Reuter said. “But someone has to (do the job).”

City Clerk Maree Peck swore Thomas Eddy and Aaron Qualls into their first terms as council members and Carrie Logan into her second term.

Later in the evening, the new governing body chose Logan as council president. Marsha Ogilvie, meanwhile, relinquished her remaining two years as a council member to take up her new mantle as mayor.

Finally, council members approved Ogilvie’s appointment of Planning Commission vice-chairman Shelby Rognstad to fill her remaining term.

“Shelby’s previous experience on Planning and Zoning shows his commitment to the city’s well-being,” Ogilvie said.

However, the council spent the majority of the evening reflecting on the previous years and expressing appreciation for outgoing members’ service.

After deciding not to pursue reelection last year, Reuter and Stephen Snedden stepped down from their seats. Despite their bittersweet exit, they weren’t worried about the coming years.

“I don’t think that the city could have elected better people — even if there were more candidates,” Reuter said.

“I feel very comfortable stepping out of this seat after four years, and that’s largely due to the incoming council members,” Snedden later added.

Former Mayor Gretchen Hellar also welcomed Ogilvie to the office and offered thoughts on its challenges.

“The mayor needs to take the council’s decisions and make sure they’re implemented efficiently, fairly and effective, even when she doesn’t agree with the decision,” Hellar said.

“I think that’s tough to do.”

Each council member from the former governing body reflected on the stress, fun, arguments and accomplishment they shared with their colleagues. Councilman Justin Schuck and Reuter laughed off their frequent disagreements on policy, while Councilman Jamie Brunner complimented Snedden’s reputation as a peacemaker.

“I’ve admired your thoughtfulness and consideration, as well as your hard work to bring people to a consensus,” she said.

Hellar’s dedication to the mayoral office also received commendation from outgoing and incoming city officials alike.

Schuck crystallized her dedication to her town by sharing his experience watching a YouTube video made about Sandpoint’s title as America’s most beautiful small town.

“There was a clip of the mayor, and she seemed a little caught off guard, but you could tell that she genuinely loved Sandpoint,” he said.